Washington State Route 527

On Saturday, May 23, 2020, we drove Washington State Route 527, the ol' Bothell-Everett Highway.

RCW 47.17.745
State route No. 527:

A state highway to be known as state route number 527 is established as follows:

Beginning at a junction with state route number 405 in the vicinity of Bothell, thence northerly to a junction with state route number 5 in Everett.

Highway 527 used to start in downtown Bothell, but a few years ago, the city asked to have it truncated to start here in Canyon Park at this interchange with I-405.


This route was part of the original Pacific Highway and was paved in 1916. It was actually part of US 99 for a year before the final route was finished to the west in 1927. Naturally, it has the feel of an old US highway, with lots of commercial development and car-oriented businesses. Just a mile from 405 is the next junction, with SR 524. Thrashers Corner!


North Bothell could be most anywhere in the country -- Sprawlsville, USA. Then we enter Mill Creek and everything looks a little classier... except for the old man taking a walk in a red speedo and turquoise tank top. At the city line between Mill Creek and Everett, we reach the junction with SR 96.


Highway 527 curves around the shore of Silver Lake. We stopped at the park there. Not many people there. A minority wore face masks. The restrooms were locked shut. Another mile north, the old highway is obliterated by the interstate highway system. We have reached the junction with I-5.


Directly over I-5, Highway 527 reaches its end. Continuing forward is SR 526. If you want to continue down to Everett on the old highway, take a right onto Broadway. If you want to use the route of the even older wagon route, it looks like a right then a left on Beverly Blvd is your choice.

Highway 527: it looks like a century-old highway, it feels like a century-old highway, it is a century-old highway.